Project Displacement

[z0dd]

-------------- Project Displacement --------------

DESCRIPTION:
A office room "mod" that attempts to lower the noise and heat generated by 3 computers, by moving everything applicable to a basement room located under the main floor.


WHY?:
Computer room is far too noisy with three computers, and the CPUs are running hot in the room they are in now. I need more powerful fans to keep the temps down, which will generate even more noise. Water cooling isn't an option, as the systems will be running 24/7 and unattended most of the time.


SOLUTION:
(A) More fans
- Add more powerful CPU HS & fan to each system
- Add a couple more case fans to each system

(B) Move the following into the basement:
- 3 cases
- Internet modem
- Hub

(C) Route from basement room to main floor room:
- 3 monitor cables (~10' dedicated cable and some extensions)
- 3 mouse cables (via extension cables)
- 3 keyboard cables (via extension cables)
- 3 power switch (need to craft)
- 3 reset switches (need to craft)
- 1 printer cable (via extension cable)
- 1 external CD drive (via extension cable)
(KVM switch isn't an option)


SPECS:
The main floor room (bedroom) is located directly above the new location in the basement where the cases will sit. The approximate distance from cases to final destination (ie, video card connector to monitor) is no more than 10'.


QUESTIONS:
(1) I need better CPU cooling / HSFs for:
- AMD FX-55, Asus AV8 939. Currently using a Thermaltake Venus 7+.
- P4 3.06 850E (Gigabyte GA-8IHXP Rev 3.0). Currently using retail stock

I prefer to purchase the HS and fan as one unit, not separate parts. I looked at some of the high CFM HSFs for AMD 939s, but still don't know what I should get that does a good job cooling. Some of the high CFM fans are ~55db, and I think I'll still be able to hear that through the floor.

Any suggestions? I'm sure I can go to "noisy" fans, but how noisy without hearing them through the floor? Do you think I'll hear 55dbs through the floor? I'll try to test this if I can find a reliable output device.

(2) Remote power and reset switches.
Sure, I can splice up my existing wires and assemble a switch box, but I was hoping someone knows a place that sells a power/reset switch control box. I can't use wireless, and I need a control unit for 3 cases (3 power, 3 reset).

(3) Tips?
Can anyone who has attempted a similar project offer futher suggestions/tips?

Thanks!

 

[Pugger]

This Looks Like a Job For The A-TEAM

dum de dum dum dum de dum

 

[z0dd]

Looks like I need the B-team now.

 

[ryuji]

extending monitor that long is a no... vga wont go past 12 feet and i think dvi is simmalar.. longer it is the poorer the image on the monitor/lower the resolution you can use...

if you really want to have it silent you could get the zalman case... but thats probably too expensive..

im not sure if they exist (i know you said no kvms...) but im pretty sure theres kvms that run over cat5...

i made my computer nearly silent.. but i sacraficed a little overclocking... (~2.5-2.6 ghtz ) i dont think you can run a fx-55 quietly.. maybe that 120 mm zalman thats coming soon(ish)

 

[Erasmus354]

Water cooling isn't an option, as the systems will be running 24/7 and unattended most of the time.

Why does running 24/7 and/or running unattended matter? Water cooling systems are fine running all the time, and if you are worried about a leak, get something like FluidXP which is supposed to be non-conductive (although very expensive). As long as you have your computer automatically shut off if the temperatures get too high (in case of pump failure or something) then you shouldn't really have a problem with water cooling.

If you want to stick with air cooling, try using larger fans that run on lower RPMs. You will get the same airflow, but will lower noise.

 

[z0dd]

Distance isn't greater than 10', and my existing 10' cables work perfectly, thus no need for anything even close to 12'.

No new cases. I have a fleet of "quiet" cases, and noise reducers, and the systems are still too loud and too hot.

No KVMs.
No water cooling.

I suppose I should have just limited my questions to high flow HSFs and power/reset boxes.